Wardrobe edit: Scarves...those that made the cut

I've recently been editing and culling my wardrobe.

I like to do this regularly as it helps me refine my style, allows me to see what regularly gets worn, who are the key players and what features make them the workhorses in my closet.

My wardrobe is kept small...the closet is also small and I share it with my husband! One day we will redo it and install some features that will improve its storage capacity...in 1913 a "pedestrian bungalow owner" would not have had many clothes...daytime wear (house dresses) and Sunday best.

First on the chopping block are the scarves...

Too many scarves and they were spilling off the shelf in my bedside cabinet
not enough space so some had to go...
7 scarves were donated to the charity shop and two were consigned.

Silk Hermes collection
 (which I wear mostly in the Spring and Summer)

Three orange boxes

Small square purchased in Paris

Black and White silk from Vancouver Hermes store

The original from the San Francisco Hermes shop.

Long scarves

some worn in summer and some in the Fall and Winter

Large white scarf (shawl size) from the Monoprix 

 St Germain, Paris

Burberry print infinity scarf

(gift)

Two Linen scarves:

black and grey 

blue and white 

(purchased at the Pharmasave in Oak Bay)

Burberry cashmere

(gift from my husband)

I tend to wear the Burberry cashmere all through the Fall and Winter as it offers warmth and is so cozy and goes with my wine coloured puffer coat.

That's all the scarves and they neatly fit inside the cabinet now with some "breathing room!"

The new Bosch dishwasher arrived and was installed today...

looking forward to clean dishes and no more leaks!

I am taking a wreath making workshop this week with our lovely DIL

Hopefully my efforts will be worthy of a photo and if the wreath looks OK

 I will share it here in a future post.

Have you started decorating for Christmas?

For some strange reason this year I feel like putting up our decorations and tree already and it is not even December!

I recently read this book the subject matter was quite disturbing...

extremely well written but rather graphic

 a NY Times bestseller.

I'm reading a much lighter book right now...

(Chick Lit)

Set in London and the South of France...

love the style in which it is written

just the thing to put a smile on my face as I sit with my mug of tea on these rainy afternoons.

What is new with you and 

what are you reading?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thoughts on Personal Taste....Questions to Ask Yourself ~ Starring You.

In this series "Starring You" let's take a look at accessories...
they offer the best and most affordable option to add that authentic and personal touch.

Consider for example that you and another person are both wearing the same outfits...
Let's use a white top and a pair of black trousers as an example.

You are both unique.
Unless you are identical twins, of course you'll look different.
So right off the bat ~ you are "YOU."
YOU may want to further personalize your individual look by adding accessories....
YOU may not...
and the good news is that it's up to YOU.

Tilda Swinton is a prime example of someone who is a minimalist when it comes to accessorizing and yet she makes a very bold impression...
she gets noticed for her personal style even when she is modeling designer clothing.
We "see" Tilda, not just the clothes.

So how do YOU add flair that is honest and authentic?
Are YOU in tune to what YOU want to add to make the outfit "YOURS?"
If not...you might be asking yourself why not.
Where to start?

What do I need to know about myself and how do I go about excavating my personal taste and unique look?

Something to think about before you embark on the journey of exploration.

 Consider your lifestyle and personality and how they impact they way that you dress?

Do you want to make a BOLD style statement or are you comfortable BLENDING in?

"Elegance is not standing out, but being remembered." 

~ Giorgio Armani ~

The "Real You" is in there...you just need to explore and investigate.

This part should be fun.

It took me quite some time to go through the discovery process...

I visited thrift shops, galleries, markets, read magazines, blogs and books before feeling confident about my choices.

I love Hermes silk scarves, vintage jewelry and pearls.

Your choices will be completely different from mine but that is the whole point of the exercise.

There are so many wonderful ways to put your personal touch on an outfit.

Ebay and Etsy offer a huge range of items...

Carve out a day just for yourself

take time to savour and wander through the shops.

Ethnic, thrift, and antique shops are a great source of unique and beautiful pieces.

Don't rush or you might miss something...

it takes time to discover what makes your heart beat a little faster.

You may already have an inherited stash of family jewels and if so, lucky you!

There may be a paste brooch from the 1930's or a stunningly beautiful necklace that you can adopt as your signature piece...

Sherman brooches are popular here, are of good quality, and beautifully designed.

 Sherman jewelry has increased in value and is highly sought after by collectors.

The local antique mall Vanity Fair has quite a few Sherman pieces for sale.

If you are passionate about designer goods you'll definitely need a larger budget.

If your budget is smaller your work will take longer.

Think of the process as an adventure.

 You may never snag that coveted piece but you might be surprised at what you discover along the way.

Consignment shops, estate sales and ebay will most likely be your best bet.

I tried on a gorgeous tweed wool Chanel jacket with champagne hued silk lining

 in a consignment shop several years ago

the price was a bit high but within my budget 

but sadly it was too snug...

(it would fit me now)

It might sound silly but I have regretted not purchasing it.

I can imagine myself wearing it with a simple white tee and dark wash jeans!

You may want to start your journey of personal discovery with a signature scent.

Meander through the department stores and try on some perfume.

Ask for samples to take home and wear them awhile to see how they react with your chemistry.

It's a great money saver testing them out before investing in the full sized bottle.

"A little bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika. 

We all need a splash of bad taste—it's hearty, it's healthy, it's physical. 

I think we could use more of it. 

No taste is what I'm against." 

~ Diana Vreeland ~

It's all about YOU!

Excavating your personal style should be fun...

it will evolve over the years as you age and your lifestyle changes.

It's important to remember to have fun on the journey...

and getting to know yourself better can be a real eye opener.

  "Simple Abundance" by Sarah Ban Breathnach.

Is a great read and a wonderful resource on the road to self awareness.

“The way you reach that awareness is through an inner journey that brings about an emotional, psychological, and spiritual transformation. A deep inner shift in your reality occurs, aligning you with the creative energy of the Universe. Such change is possible when you invite Spirit to open up the eyes of your awareness to the abundance that is already yours.”

~ Sarah Ban Breathnach ~

My carry on wardrobe for travel...and a word about scarves.

My recent post "packing for Paris in a carry on" was a work in process.
It was by no means a complete list of what I am taking to Paris. I really hope that I didn't mislead you into thinking I was only taking two dresses!

I've had time to look in my closet and I wrote out a few lists...edited them.
Rewrote the list and edited some more...

What I have chosen "feels right."
As a challenging project which may be subject to a few small changes...
Spring in Paris can be chilly and rainy.

The core wardrobe is in my go to colour palette...basic black!
I have added quite a few accessories to allow me to add some colour, texture, and interest.

Pants
black and dark denim skinny jeans ~ g21
black ponte knit pants ~ Eileen Fisher

Dresses
Black tweed V neck sleeveless ~ Banana Republic
Pattern wrap dress ~ Jones of NY

Tops
black tank ~ White House Black Market
cream tank ~ Lands' End
white linen tank ~ Eileen Fisher
black short sleeve Tee ~ Wilfred
cream short sleeve Tee ~ Lands' End
Breton stripe long sleeve top ~ Gap
black, grey, cream patterned wrap long sleeve top ~ Laura
coral tunic top ~ Cute Creations

Sweaters
coral cashmere V neck cardigan ~ Lands' End
black short sleeved dressy V neck cardigan for dresses ~ Talbots

Coats
Trench coat ~ Elie Tahari
Black waterproof light jacket ~ Style and Co.

Shoes
blue flats ~ Joseph Seibel
metallic sandals ~ Ecco
short black leather boots ~ Timberland

Undergarments
nude and black bras ~ Olga
nude and black undies ~ Elita and Olga

cashmere socks
mesh hose in black and beige ~ Hue

black silk nightie

Scarves
felted black white grey print
silk ~ Hermes
silk ~ Lanvin

Jewelry
watch
diamond studs
coin necklace
pearls
crystal and black artisan necklace ~ Debra Kay
vintage brooch with baroque pearl

I plan to roll my clothes and use packing cubes and Ziploc bags to keep things compact and organized.

Orange will be the punch of colour with my black basics...

Have you got the Hermes scarf tying app ?

I have it on my IPhone.

Here's a quick scarf tying tutorial from Eileen Fisher.

I think this gal is adorable and I love her style.

another older EF tutorial with some great ideas for wearing your scarves.

See you again soon.

Wardobe oxygen ~ Orange you glad you tuned in?

Let's just get one thing straight...I love black, grey and white.
I have considered that there may be some "merit" to inviting a wee bit of colour into my closet.

A bright bold and vibrant shade...
Orange Crush,
my current fave
that may have been influenced by Hermes boxes

or perhaps my need for Vitamin C.

Fasten your seat belts...

Cashmere cardigan

from Lands' End

Ribbed sleeve detail

pockets

a longer length which is cozy with skinny jeans.

Getting "friendly" with the fridge!

The cardigan might be just what I need to grab on a cold rainy day.

I can think of pairings with my classic Lanvin scarf...

or with some beautiful roses!

or a lily

I will be wearing this cashmere cardigan to French class...

I forgot that this Coach scarf had orange in the pattern

it was a lovely Xmas gift from my son and his wife many years ago.

 If you could only see how chic my French instructor is you'd understand why I am studying not only the language but her Parisian style.

She wears simple understated clothing...

tosses a scarf on in a way that one might think she just "threw it on"

wears a minimum of jewelry...

(a wedding band and beautiful pearl or hoop earrings)

she wears flats...and not just the iconic ballerinas...loafers too

her trench coat looks vintage as does her Max Mara wool coat...

she is not reed thin, she has womanly curves

she's a brunette in the style of much younger Catherine Deneuve.

I am most impressed by her haircut...

it reminds me of Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina when she returns from Paris...

it looks like she didn't do a thing other than wash it

but I am sure that cannot be true.

She exudes Parisian Chic...

I am learning a lot in French Class...

much more than I signed up for!

She tells me that our trips to Paris will overlap for a few days and that we should meet up for coffee!

A bientot.

Don't forget about the Humble Bungalow giveaway...

details are in the previous post.

Bonne Chance!

Wardrobing...my love affair with black.

I am not an expert on fashion nor am I the guru of the perfect wardrobe...
but have learned scads since I started reading blogs.

Jennifer L. Scott's Madame Chic book introduced me to the concept of a small chic wardrobe.
Her 10 item basic wardrobe guide has helped me to see the benefits of living with less.

Having a small wardrobe means that pieces need to work with each other so select a neutral colour for most of your clothes. I love black and I never tire of it.
It feels like a blank canvas waiting for a pop of colour, a backdrop for a pretty brooch or a colourful scarf.
You are the artist when putting your outfits together so have some fun and be creative with your accessories.

Janice is a creative and fashion savvy genius, she writes The Vivienne Files.
If you have not discovered her blog rush on over and prepare to be amazed.

I've read numerous books and umpteen blogs on how to cultivate a small but efficient wardrobe that functions optimally allowing for panic free dressing...
I have pared down my wardrobe so I can see it all at one glance and things are not crushing each other in the attempt to find their place in the closet.
Remember most of my clothes are BLACK!
You may be thinking how boring or dull, but once you've organized your wardrobe in black or your chosen neutral, I don't think you'll ever regret the loyalty you'll feel to those great clothes horses and their flexibility.

This is a great read if you are looking for some tips on dressing in the French Chic Style.

Dressing well needn't break the bank...

there are lots of thrift and consignment stores that offer quality clothing.

The secret is that you have so shop often and seriously hunt for those gems.

When you find one examine the garment carefully for rips, holes and stains.

A seamstress or tailor can usually alter the piece to fit if it is in good condition.

I love to shop this way but I know it is not for everyone.

I do enjoy purchasing quality basics on occasion but I seriously consider the CPW factor

(cost per wearing) 

before I plunk down the cash.

Most of you have heard me rave about the 10 item basic wardrobe that Jennifer L. Scott has written and blogged and V-logged about in her You Tube tutorials...

her book is a great introduction into living well with less.

This vintage book is a classic guide to French Chic dressing.

Coco Chanel loved black.

 Her contribution to fashion, with her launch of the LBD, is as popular and alive as it was when she took the fashion world by storm.

I have a lovely LBD in my wardobe by Elie Tahari.

It is THE MOST VERSATILE dress that I have ever had the pleasure of wearing!

Do you like how I have photographed it by the fridge?

What could be a simpler shape and line?

It fits as if it were tailored personally for me.

The fabric has body and a bit of weight to it and the dress is fully lined and top stitched by hand.

The zip is in the side which I like as I am not too good at doing up back zips.

(my husband helps out with back zips when he is at home!)

I wanted to show you a few ways that I style my favourite LBD.

If you have any doubts about buying one I hope that I have shown you the value of owning a great classic.

If you think you look dreadful in black try another neutral shade...navy, tan, white, or grey.

I made this necklace years ago when I took a course and wear it often.

Silver belt with an ethnic vibe at the waist can dress it down when it is worn with a jean jacket and boots.

A armload of bangles...

Gumball sized pearls are a bit more refined.

An interesting bangle worn solo is all you need to add a bit of interest and the silver is a nice shade with black.

Dressier shoes for afternoon and evening.

Flats work too as well as kitten heels.

A vintage small eel skin bag is just the right size for evening and I love that it has a chain strap so that my hands can be free to hold a drink or nibble on canapes.

"Mother approved" outfit for dinner out or an afternoon matinee at the local live theatre.

(maybe a bit Mumsy, I consider it a bit more modern version of a Castlebury Knit!)

If I haven't convinced you of the value of having a LBD perhaps I have not done my job!

Perhaps you prefer a skirt and sweater?

I have those items in my wardrobe too....

A longer skirt to wear with boots and a soft wool blend sweater.

Lisa Campione skirt is made of a firm fabric which gives it staying power and lots of body.

It is a very fun and feminine skirt to wear.

You could wear a white tee and a denim jacket to make this a super casual outfit...perfect for shopping or lunching out with your friends.

I just watched Jennifer L. Scott's Tedx Talk and thought you might like to see it too.

Watch and enjoy...

Now it's your turn to chime in with your thoughts about how you approach dressing.

Are you a minimalist or do you go for the maximum amount of garments?

Are your closets organized by colour, by type of clothing, or are they cluttered?

With a jumble of colours, styles and garments do you feel that you have "nothing to wear?"

I hope that you have a fabulous weekend!

Hostess